Nigeria, Nov. 5 -- The planned arraignment of Omoyele Sowore, activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, on charges of defaming President Bola Tinubu stalled again on Wednesday at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The proceeding was stalled due to the absence of Mr Sowore and his defence team from court.

Trial judge Mohammed Umar rejected the prosecution's request to order Mr Sowore's arrest over his absence.

Mr Umar said there was no need to rush, refusing the prosecution's call for the activist's arrest.

Mr Sowre was charged alongside the parent companies of Facebook and X over his posts on the social media platforms in August calling Mr Tinubu a criminal.

Their arraignment was first stalled on 30 September after Mr Sowore's lawyers ...